Sheriff’s Office arrests 3 after series of thefts

A reported theft in progress on Altheimer Road early Thursday morning led to the arrest of three people who had allegedly been involved in a series of burglaries and thefts over night.

Justin Smithwick, 18, Mickey Smith, 23, and a juvenile were taken into custody after one of the victims saw them allegedly take a four-wheeler from his residence.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Mickey Buffkin reported that deputies were sent to the 1500 block of Altheimer Road at 5 a.m. and when Deputy Rick Conyers arrived, he found the victim had detained the three suspects.

Buffkin reported that the victim, who was not identified in the probable cause affidavit, said he was awakened and saw the individuals loading a four-wheeler on a trailer behind a blue pickup truck.

Deputies also found a second four-wheeler in the bed of the truck and determined that the suspects had also allegedly taken a 14-foot trailer, a shotgun and other items from six locations.

Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set a $5,000 bond for Smithwick and a $25,000 bond for Smith after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge both of them with four counts of theft by receiving.

Charges against the juvenile will be sought in juvenile court and an investigation into the series of burglaries and thefts is continuing by the sheriff’s department.